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Caterpillar, Airware to offer work site intelligence through aerial data

by Brianna Crandall — February 8, 2017 — Airware, a maker of end-to-end software technology that turns aerial data from drones into actionable business intelligence, announced this week that it has secured a strategic investment from Caterpillar Ventures. The investment allows Airware to accelerate programs that enable dealers to offer solutions and services within the construction, mining, and quarrying industries, and highlights Caterpillar’s commitment in leading the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Airware products that turn aerial data from drones into actionable business intelligence will be sold through Caterpillar dealers.

George Taylor, Caterpillar chief marketing officer and vice president of the Marketing and Digital division, stated:

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This investment is a continuation of Caterpillar’s commitment to help our customers be more productive and make improved business decisions. In collaboration with Airware, we are better positioned to offer drone services through industry-leading technology that helps digitize and optimize operations.

In September of 2016, Airware acquired Redbird (see YouTube video), a drone analytics pioneer, to bring to market what it calls the most powerful commercial drone solution for mining and aggregates. Today, teams from around the world are using aerial data from the Airware Redbird solution to monitor day-to-day progress of their sites to improve productivity, worker safety, and operational efficiency, says the company.

Commercial drone technology is becoming a necessity for construction, mining and quarrying organizations looking to increase overall productivity while cutting costs. Airware provides customers the combined power of an enterprise-focused workflow and industry-specific data analytics with the compliance and security features needed to scale drone operations.

Caterpillar dealers will be able to offer their customers drone services and analytics, including a core set of photogrammetry, mapping, and volumetrics tools, and a suite of advanced aerial data analysis and reporting modules. Caterpillar dealer Bergerat Monnoyeur will be among the first dealers.